Noun: Catfish (KAT-fish) Definition: 1. Any of numerous usually freshwater stout-bodied fishes with large heads and long thin feelers about the mouth. 2. A person who sets up a false personal profile on a social networking site for fraudulent or deceptive purposes. Sample sentence: Mary’s mother worried that anyone her daughter interacted with through online […]

Adjective: Germane (jer-MAYN) Definition: Being at once relevant and appropriate: fitting. Sample sentence: While his comments were witty and entertaining, they weren’t particularly germane to the overall discussion.

Noun: Gamification (gay-muh-fuh-KAY-shun) Definition: The process of adding games or gamelike elements to something so as to encourage participation. Sample sentence: The teacher was always looking for a new gamification to use with her students to make math more fun.

Adjective: Sophomoric ( sahf-MOR-ik) Definition: 1. Conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature. 2. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a sophomore. Sample sentence: Judd’s behavior at the party was sophomoric, but I’ve seen a more mature side to him in other settings.

Noun: Fracking (FRACK-ing) Definition: The injection of fluid into shale beds under high pressure in order to free up petroleum resources such as oil or natural gas. Sample sentence: Many environmental supporters have been urging the state government officials to vote for a bill that would ban fracking.

You may not know what is going to happen when you try, but if you do not try, nothing will happen. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. Keep trying!